Argentina 0-0 Chile (AET, 2-4 on penalties): Lionel Messi misses as Chile claim Copa America glory
Lionel Messi missed a spot-kick as Chile beat Argentina on penalties in the Copa America final for the second successive year.
Messi blasted wide from 12 yards after a feisty contest that saw both sides reduced to 10 men had finished goalless after 120 minutes, Lucas Biglia also fluffing for Argentina before Francisco Silva struck decisively to seal a 4-2 shoot-out victory for the holders.
Sergio Aguero spurned fine chances to make the breakthrough in regular and extra-time, slicing wide before seeing Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo stretch improbably to push a looping header over the bar.
But Argentina’s 23-year trophy drought goes on and Messi – playing two days after his 29th birthday – is still to win silverware with his country’s senior team, who have now lost three major finals in a row following defeats at the 2014 World Cup as well as last year’s tournament.
An fractious showpiece for the 100th anniversary tournament – in front of a crowd of more than 82,000 – saw eight yellow cards as well as first-half reds for Chile’s Marcelo Diaz (28) and then Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo (43).
Argentina should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when Gary Medel miscontrolled a back-pass but Gonzalo Higuain’s attempted chip over Bravo dropped wide.
Diaz had already seen yellow when he was penalised for a body-check on Messi but the contest was pock-marked by flare-ups and ill-timed challenges.
Messi was booked for diving – Chile’s players surrounding the referee in protest – after he tumbled following a collision with Jose Pedro Fuenzalida but the card was red when Rojo caught Arturo Vidal two minutes before the break.
Jean Beausejour and Charles Aranguiz picked up bookings as the match continued to raise tempers and tension only grew as chances came and went at both ends.
Chile striker Eduardo Vargas went close in the 80th minute, thumping a fierce low shot that Sergio Romero did well to block at his near post, while Aguero blazed high when in prime position four minutes later.
Ramiro Funes-Mori made a stunning match-saving block to deny Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez – substituted before the shoot-out – as the clock ticked down but the best chance came in extra-time when Aguero drew a stunning reaction save from Bravo.
The game hinged on penalties once again but after Vidal’s opening effort was saved, Messi miscued, bowing his head and clenching his fists in frustration.
Nicolas Castillo and Aranguiz converted their kicks for Chile, while Javier Mascherano and Aguero dispatched theirs, but after Beausejour put Chile ahead, Bravo dived to his right to save from Biglia.
Silva kept his cool, drilling low into the corner as Chile’s players raced to celebrate, Messi consoled by his team-mates as Argentina glory remains elusive.
Source:Skysports
